Brassiere with improved stay means



May 23, 1950 B. H. MIXON 2,58,58

BRASSIERE WITH IMPROVED STAY MEANS Filed March la, l1947 Ben jamin H. Mixon Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and desirably useful improvements in brassires and has particular reference to practical ways and means for stiiiening and staying predetermined median portions, transversely considered, and in a Inanner to insure smooth tting maintenance at all times.

Ordinary brassires embody a body embracing band whose rear ends are interconnected by separable fasteners, the central portion having spaced breast cups and an intervening form fitting front-piece, generally a wedge-shaped web.

The side-reaches (sometimes described as tapering wings) of said band, from points'just outwardly of said cups to the rear connectable terminals tend, when in-use, to rumple and wrinkle, thus permitting the wearers breasts to sag, regardless of cup styling and perfected construction. This unsightly breakdown of a brassire is usually traceable to the upriding" lower edges of said wings, for in use there is a constant tendency for such edges to creep up, whereby to ruin the intended form fitting and restraining purposes of the garment.

For some time now there has existed a constant public demand for an available brassire so constructed as to be free of the stated objections; which accounts for the instant invention, an adaptable and desirable improvement which not only achieves the corrective ends sought, but also satisfies other requirements of the trade such as simplicity, adaptability, durability, appropriateness and conforming comfort to the wearer.

In addition a brassire having so-called uplift and form sustaining features within the vicinity of the breast cups is a feature of finesse likewise desired by the discreet wearer. It follows, therefore, that it is an object of the invention to adapt and use stiffening and staying means but to so arrange and situate same that it applies the principle of reinforcement where best usable and applicable to constantly maintain the form fitting characteristics not only of the breast cups but also of the remainder of the garment.

More specifically, and in carrying out the principles of the invention, best results are had through a preferred embodiment of such means wherein the latter is characterized by carefully shaped and located pockets, these to contain readily insertable and removable stays so as to insure constant existence of the shape sustaining characteristics while, at the same time, permitting the garment to be handily washed and ironed without interference from said stays.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary type showing a brassire embodying the features of this invention and illustrating the manner in which it is worn and the indicated results attained;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one of the wing-like end portions, this revealing to advantage the specific adaptation of the instant invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the plane of the line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the insert-,able and removable stay per se, and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective View stressing the delineation of the pocket, particularly the mouth of said pocket.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the brassire, in all general appearances, conforms to what one might visualize as a conventional type. It is of any suitable material and includes a body encircling and embracing member or band 6 which is partly held in place by shoulder straps 1. The front portion of the brassire, the part denoted generally by the numeral 8 is made up principally of suitable breast cups 9 and It these having an intervening wedge-shaped 'web I I therebetween, as usual. The rearwardly directed and side and back embracing end portions or so-called wings are denoted by the numerals I2 and have their coacting ends separably connectable together in any common fashion (not shown). The wings I2 have customary marginal bindings I3 and I4 of stitched form and this too is of customary formation.

The essence of this invention is exhibited in the drawings as incorporated and confined within the limits of the wing-like reach l2. By this, it is meant, that the structure I2 is reinforced with added fabric and is also stabilized by way of stiffening and stay means for transverse strengthening purposes. Broadly, the means chosen comprises a pocket with an insertable and removable stay normally located in said pocket. The pocket is here generally denoted by the numeral I5 (see Figure 2). It is narrow at its lower end and wide at its upper end and is defined primarily by rows of stitching I6 transversely and arcuately extending across the part I2, additional rows of stitching Il being arranged on an opposite side and said stitching I1 being straight across, that is, at approximate right angles to the longitudinal dimension of said part or reach I2. The binding I4 along the bottom of the pocket serves to close said bottom and it will be noted that this bottom denoted at I8, is relatively narrow. At the top, the stitchings I9 forming a part of the binding I3 terminateaat the point :2.0 where they serve to define a relatively small mouth 2| to permit the plastic or other splint or stay 22 to be` inserted and removed. By making the mouth of the pocket oil-center or to=.,one.side,jthefstayis inserted somewhat diagonally and removedin the same manner. When once it is lodged inthe What I claim is:

1. A brassire for everyday use comprising an endless-type body encircling and restraining band characterized by a frontal portion having customary breast cups and complemental gradually and rearwardly narrowing wing-like end portions, the terminals of said end portions being pocket it is confined in the left'-hand. end portion' A only, that is, between the narrow lower portion I3, the stitchings Il and the stitchings vlil'atv right angles to the Ystitchings I1. In actual side elevation, the stitchngs which goto define or delineate the shape of YYthe pocket, the latter resembling a holsten I desire'to emphasize the lxed'form shaping results attainable'throughthe use'of a pocket and stay of the type shown anddescribed but call` attention tothe fact thatotherequivalentA stiffening and staying means might wellbe employed. Also, and in rconnection with Figure 3, I` call attention to the fact that on'the interior the pocket is reinforced by an added or extra ply as at 23, this being stitched tothe-outer ply 24 which, with the remainingply `25, goes to make up a doublethickness reach I2. "Thus,the pocket has a small laterally disposed mouth and isreinforced, this providing van arrangement which guards againstkaccidental'displacement of the stay once it is lodged in place,. but .which permits removal" of the stay, the pocket itself being sufficiently strong to withstand continual insertion and removing of said stay. It'isnecessary to .bodily remove the stay to facilitate washing the brassiere, obviously.

A careful consideration ,of the Vforegoing description in conjunction lwith the invention as illustrated. in the vdrawings -willenable the reader toiobtain a, clear.. understanding and impression of the alleged features of. merit .and novelty sufficientfto clarifythe construction ofthe inventionV as .hereinafter claimed. i

Minor changes.in.shape,-size, materials and rearrangement of .partslmaybe resortedto in actual practice. sol longv asno departure isA made fromr thev invention as1claimed..

NumberV Name Date 501 1,012,406 Merkin Dec. '19, 1911 1,637,840 vAlberts Aug. 2, '1937A 2,428,572 Lobe1 Oct. "7', 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Bate 50,264 France Oct. 24, `19.39

separably connectable, said wing-like end portions at points adjacent to the respective breast cupsreachhavingfa stayreceiving andi retaining pocket, said pocket extending transversely from the upper to the lower edge portion of the band,

`being relatively narrow and closed at its lower Tendiip'ortion.; andr gradually widening toward its upper end portion, the wider upper end portion 4ci. the pocket'being closed except for a limited opening and. the. latter providing a small entrance and exit mouth, and stays lodged in the ccmpl'etelyfclosed portions of the respective pockets, said stays, when canted within the respective pockets; beirrgfisnsceptibl-e cof 'removal.' by' way of the;small mouths'.

2. .AY brassire for :regular everyday use :comprising .1a Y body encircling: and restraining band including' :a frontal :portion Vhaving customary breast cups and; wing-like rearwardlylnarrowingi end portions, said end portions, at points adjacent the.respective'breast:cups being' provided with pockets, each'pocket being-stitched; around marginal-"edge portions, tbeingtnarrow at'one endiand Wide atfthenother'fende'andfof `l1olster.like.form,Y

al stay'tted" into teach pocket, the: stay: being `of a cross-sectionfto fit snuglyv in the restricted en'd' of the pocketgthe oppositewiderend of the=pocket having ra'restricted slot 'forming a mouth and said mouth :being slightly' larger than thecross` section ofthe stay to'rallow the latterto be inserted into thepocket' by way-ofsaid mouth and subsequentlyremoved'fromthe pocket by way of said'mouthin'the manner and for the purposesfdescribed.

BENJAMIN H. "lvIIXON REFERENCE-sorrisi) Theffollowing references are of record in the file df'this patent:

UNITED STATES lTENTS 

